Treatment of photographic films and apparatus therefor



Dec, 25 1923.

' c. T. COUNSELL TREATMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Nov. 14. 1922 Dec. 25. 1923. 1,478,639

0. T. COUNSELL TREATMENT OF PHOTOGRAPHIG FILMS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed Nov. 14. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M V M whereby the cleaning,

I pressure approximatelg Patented Dec., 25, E923.

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CHLES THOMAS CDUNSELL, OF SYDNEY,

n son'rn warns, ans'rnama, ASSIGNOR 5E0 COUNSEL FILM PROS AND CHEMICAL COMPANY LIMITED, 01: SYDNEY, NEW

SOUTH WALES, AUSEIK Li a .f-ZA 02E FHMQGHIC FILMS APPATUS ERMOR.

Application filed Rovember 14, 1922. Serial Ito. 600,951.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, vGrmnnns Tnomas COUNSELL, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Sydney, in t e State of New South Wales, Commonwealth of Australia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Treatment of Photographic Films and Apparatus Therefor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the treatment of photographic positive or negative films and apparatus therefor hardening, or toughening of the film is facilitated, and is espe- (fviially adapted for treating cinematograph lms.

According to the invention, the length film is treated in a tank above atmospheric at the rate of about 50 feet per minute. t the same time the treating agent is admitted to the tank in the form of a fine spray or gas and is deposited on or combines with the chemicals composing the film or on the surface thereof.

Apparatus for carrying out the process comprises a comparatively long closed tank provided with two or more detachable view windows or doors for the purpose of inserting and removing the films and for observing changes in the film. At one end is a valve controlled pipe leading to the atmosphere, and at the other is an inlet pi e for admission of the treating agent in the form -of spray or gas. Within the tank opposite a door at one end is a rotatable spindle for an unwinding reel of film, and a similar spindle to take a winding reel is placed at the other end opposite a door. These spindles pass through suitable air tight glands in the walls of the tank and are rotated in hearings in the wall and in a supporting bracket, the spindles being driven by pulleys or other gearing. Preferably, two similar tanks are secured together in parallel, the detachable doors being on the outer walls'so that two films may be treated simultaneously in the tanks. We may operate the tank at a pressure below atmospheric pressure, in which case the outlet pipe of each tank is connected to a vacuum pump or chamber.

But in order that our invention can be more clearly comprehended, we will now refer to the accompanying drawings in.

which,-,

Figure 1 is a'perspective view of the apparatus, while.

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation on the line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4: is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the view windows and retaining clamps, and

Figure 5, apart sectional view on line 55, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a part perspective view of the spool winding shaft and glands.

The same numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts throughout the drawin and 9 are duplicate treating tanks or chambers, preferably positioned alongside one another and stayed together by bars or rods 10 and 11. Positioned at opposite ends of the tanks are the inlet pipes 12, controlled by valves 13, and outlet pipes 14 provided with valves 15. Y

16 are the detachable view windows which seatin casings 17, and are held in place by the strap plates 18 and .bolts 19 provided with butterfly thumb nuts 20. The inner faces of the windows 1.6 have baize 30 or other suitable packing material secured as illustrated in Figure 5, so that when the windows are in place and the nuts 20 tightened, the casings 17 form an airtight joint with the window 16.

The film is placed in the tanks on spools or the like (not shown) which are mounted on the spindles 21 and 22, the spindles 22 bein provided with pulleys 23 or other suita 1e gearing so that they will wind up the film from ofi the unwinding spindles 21, said spindles 21 being provided with springs 24% and adjusting wheels 25 to keep the film taut when being unwound. Each spindle passes through an airtight gland 26 provided in the side of the tanks and is supported at the outer ends by brackets or bearings 27. The winding spindles 22 are provided with a disc 28 on which is secured a pin 29 or the like to retain the spool when placed on the spindle.

In operation, the spool carrying the untreated film is placed on the spindle 21. The

end of the film is then secured to an empty iltil poses, placing aspool of spool mounted on the Winding spindle 22. The Windows 16 are replaced in the casin s 17 and secured in position, when the film 1S ready for treatment The treating agent is then forced into the tanks in the form of spray or gas through the valves 13 and,

pipes 12, and thewinding spindles 22 revolved by the pulleys 23. After or during treatment of the film, any excess of the treating agent escapes through the valves 15 and pipes 14 to the atmosphere being assisted, if necessary, by forcing air through the pipes 12.

In the case of treating a film at a pressure below that of the atmosphere, a vacuum pump or the like is coupled to the outlet pipes 14.

I claim 1. In the treatment of photographic films for cleaning, hardening, or toughening purfilm on an unwinding spindle Within a tank or chamber, the

- free end of the film being secured to a spool on a Winding spindle, said spindles being spaced apart in the tank,

making the tank air tight, passing therein a treating spray from the tank.

films for cleaning,

newness or gas, and rotating said winding spool at a speed which Will permit the treating agent to act on the length of film between the spindles, provision being made excess of the treating agent.

2. In apparatus for treating photographic films for cleaning, purposes,a tank capable of being made air tight and provided with controlled inlet and outlet pipes, and Winding and unwinding spool holding spindles Within the tank at opposite ends substantially as described.

3. In apparatus for treating'photographic oughening, or hardening purposes, a tank capable of being made air tight and provided with controlled inlet and outlet pipes, and Winding and unwinding spool holding spindles spaced apart Within the tank, the former having a driving pulley and the latter adjusting means, said spindles being provided with glands Where they project through the tanksubstantially' as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto'set my hand.

CHARLES THOMAS COUNSELL.

for escape of 

